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SHAH ALAM – Bersatu Youth wing Armada has blamed Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan for the coalition’s deregistration, saying the decision could have been avoided if its leaders had followed proper procedures.
Armada information chief Harris Idaham Rashid accused the two leaders of mishandling meeting procedures and disregarding provisions in PN’s constitution, damaging a coalition built through the sacrifices of its grassroots members.
In a statement on Tuesday, Harris said Armada took note of the Registrar of Societies Malaysia’s (RoS) decision on Oct 20 to cancel PN’s registration under subparagraph 13(1)(c)(iv) of the Societies Act 1966.
“This major blow is a crisis that could have been avoided if the coalition’s top leadership had respected the basic principles of organisational administration,” the statement said.
Harris said Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had led and maintained PN’s position in an orderly manner and in compliance with the law since its establishment.
However, he claimed the coalition’s administration deteriorated within months of Samsuri taking over as chairman.
“Unfortunately, when the administration of this coalition changed hands to Dr Samsuri this year, it took only a few months under his management for the entire PN institution to be completely destroyed and ruined.
“This is clear evidence of incompetence that is deeply embarrassing,” he added.
Harris also criticised what he described as an approach to governance that treated major party decisions as personal matters rather than decisions requiring consensus among component parties.
He said the approach had ultimately backfired on the coalition.
Harris urged Bersatu to implement a political restructuring plan immediately to protect the dignity, rights and voices of its grassroots members.
“We are ready to rise and rebuild our strength without having to submit to any party that places personal interests above the struggle for the people,” he said.
RoS cites PN’s failure to address grounds for cancellation
The RoS cancelled PN’s registration on Oct 20 after finding that the coalition’s explanations and representations failed to refute the grounds stated in an earlier notice.
The department said it had reviewed the documents and explanations submitted by PN after issuing a notice on Sept 22, and received the coalition’s response on Oct 12.
“The reasons given do not refute the grounds for cancellation of registration as stated in the notice and do not provide strong justification for maintaining the registration of the organisation,” the statement said.
The decision was made under subparagraph 13(1)(c)(iv) of the Societies Act 1966, while the earlier notice was issued under subsection 13(2) of the same Act.
The RoS also stressed that every registered society was responsible for complying with the law and its own constitution.
Dispute over PN leadership and meeting procedures
PN was formed in February 2020 following the political turmoil that led to the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government after the Sheraton Move.
The coalition was officially registered on Aug 7, 2020.
The dispute that preceded the cancellation intensified after Bersatu lodged a complaint with the RoS on Aug 11 over its alleged exclusion from a PN Supreme Council meeting on July 16 to discuss seat distribution for the Negeri Sembilan state election.
Bersatu claimed the exclusion violated Clause 7.1 of PN’s constitution and questioned whether veto powers had influenced decisions made by the Supreme Council.
The RoS subsequently issued a notice dated Sept 22 under subsection 13(2) of the Societies Act 1966, giving PN an opportunity to submit explanations and representations on the matters raised.
PN submitted its response on Oct 12, but the RoS found that it did not provide sufficient grounds to maintain the coalition’s registration.
